Joal’s Backyard Saloon

I came across Joal’s unique backyard saloon on Facebook. I contacted him to find out more and he was very modest about his creation: “The saloon is really just a glorified shed and chicken coop” he said. But look how detailed this place is:

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

Located near Astoria, Oregon, the “Backyard Saloon” originated when Joal needed to rebuild a dilapidated woodshed in his yard. A little weekend project turned into an elaborate, multi-year, 11 X 30 foot structure that also serves as a woodshed, garden shed, storage, workshop, and chicken coop. But mostly a saloon.

Here’s Joal relaxing in his creation with some fruit punch:

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

The unique thing about this backyard saloon is that it is made from all recycled wood, and ONLY from materials that existed in the late 1800s - “no plywood, particle or chip board, no sheetrock, no plastics, nothing high-tech”, says Joal.

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

So where did he find such old building material?

He got most of the interior wood paneling – including the bar itself – from disassembled loading dock pallets. Much of the exterior was built from “creosote-soaked river-wharf timber”.

The aged, roughed-up materials really do give the saloon that authentic old western feel.

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

The backyard saloon in winter:

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

Joal did not embark on this project as a novice, however. He has over 15 years of experience in designing residential remodels. Today, he puts his talents to work as a freelance illustrator (you can see more of his delightful artwork here).

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

Joal and his family open up the backyard saloon for various festive occasions throughout the year like this Halloween party they threw:

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

Besides being the coolest hangout spot in the Pacific Northwest, the backyard structure also has an attached chicken coop [as seen below on the rear left of the building]:

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

The 5′ X 12′ coop and pen were added a couple of years after the saloon was built.

image from: http://webpages.charter.net/joalmorris/

Here’s the back-story of the coop addition:

I only got into raising chickens because my neighbor’s 30 chicken coop was massacred by a mink and the three or four survivors decided to move into my garage as a safe haven. I fell in love with them and have been a chicken (and duck) enthusiast ever since.

- Joal Morris

This is what happens when creative, handy people have big backyards and a couple of weekends to spare: